Description
An abscess is a localized buildup of pus enclosed by a fibrous cover.
Urgency
Danger
Course
Abscesses of the skin develop acutely and often do not affect the overall health of the animal. The size of an abscess may vary between that of a cherry pit or a lemon. Common sites for abscesses are the neck, head, or flank.
Cause
Abscesses are usually formed by small, localized infections of the skin, foreign bodies that penetrate the skin from the outside, or bite wounds.
Therapy
Many abscesses ripen and burst open a few days after their appearance. Administration of antibiotics can speed up this process. If the surrounding enclosure is very thick, medicine may not be able to penetrate to the core of the infection. In that case, it is necessary to pierce the abscess in order to remove pus.
Emergency measures
If the abscess has split and empties by itself, you can support the healing by washing the resulting hollow every day with a mild antiseptic solution.